Ancient Ofrenda
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Ancient Ofrenda Elements of an Altar 9th Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival Exhibit Education Packet Diego Rivera Presented by: Jennifer Clugston and Pauliasi Fanaika Arizona State University Museum of Anthropology 1 GUIDED GROUP VISIT INFORMATION 1. If you would like to schedule a visit to ASUMA, please contact Catherine Nichols at [email protected] 2. Please arrive at least 10 minutes prior to your scheduled time. 3. The museum can accommodate up to 30 students, but 10-15 students are ideal. Please include the number of students that plan on attending so arrangements can be made to have sufficient staff for your visitation. 4. One chaperone must be present at all times for each group of 20 children. Two chaperones are preferred. 5. Please schedule your visit one week prior to the date you want to visit the museum. 6. Discuss museum behavior before your scheduled visit. Students should have an understanding of museum etiquette. 7. The museum is ALWAYS free; there are no fees for students, teachers, or volunteers. Museum hours are Monday through Friday, 11 AM to 3 PM. Other times can be arranged by appointment. Please share this material with other educators. This packet is available for download at http://asuma.asu.edu/Education/EducationalMaterials 2 Día de los Muertos an introduction… Smelling pan de muerto (bread of the dead) bake in the oven, picking out sugar skulls from the local street vendors, and hearing fireworks go off in the town streets are all part of what occurs during the hustle and bustle in preparing for the celebration of the Day of the Dead in contemporary Mexico. For centuries the tradition of Day of the Dead has held on to its original beliefs in keeping the memory of former loved ones alive as well as commemorating their annual return. During the celebration of Día de los Muertos, death is not seen to be woeful or depressing, but rather accepted as something that exists in the ever-apparent duality of life. It is a shift from one world to another and when the spirits transcend the borders on the days of November 1st and 2nd, a celebration occurs in honor of loved ones returning home for a few hours to reunite with their families. The celebration of Day of the Dead is thought to have been around for centuries possibly originating with such native Mexican cultures such as the Aztecs, Maya, and Olmec. It is reported that during the 9th and 10th months of the year, ceremonies referred to as ‘Feast of the Little Dead Ones’ and ‘Feast of the Adult Dead’ were conducted as an offering to the dead (Carmichael 28). ‘The Sweeping of the Way’, a dance followed by cleaning streets and homes of the village is a practice that resembles what is seen today when cleaning the cemeteries and homes of current towns (Carmichael 32). Although there is striking evidence of similar symbology and customs between today and ancient times, one cannot say with any certainty that this celebration is a direct continuation of early Mesoamerican culture. Over time, culture-to-culture contact has allowed an assortment of iconography and traditions to evolve along with the origins of Day of the Dead. With the introduction of Catholicism from the Europeans, many of the original Mesoamerican practices were forbidden based on the idea that the natives were practicing pagan rituals. However, such traditions such as the offering of food, incense, paper ornaments, dancing and music are all elements that have survived and continue to be conducted during the holiday today (Carmichael 31). Although there are many variations in the celebration of Day of the Dead from region to region or even town to town, building altars and visiting the graves of the deceased seem to be a standard for the holiday. By constructing an altar, one is honoring and welcoming the deceased to take part in the festivities put on by family and friends. Memorabilia such as pictures of the deceased, their favorite foods, toys, and objects that symbolize something unique about that person are also displayed on an altar. Many altars have an arch representing the universe, marigold flowers otherwise known as cempasuchitl flowers often make up these archways. At times, petals from the cempasuchitl flowers are made into paths to 3 help the souls find their way not only from cemetery to home, but also from home back to cemetery (Carmichael 18). Although it is understood that the deceased may not be physically present, it is sensed that their soul is near (Carmichael 21). This year the ASU Museum of Anthropology would like to include everyone in viewing the altar built by a community of nationwide artists and ASU students. The goal for this year’s exhibition will be to experience the space of one traditional altar emphasizing on the four elements: Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water. With history that traces as far back as the Ancient Aztecs, Maya, and Olmec cultures, Dia de los Muertos may be recognized as a Mexican celebration that has remained aligned with its indigenous roots. In this exhibit it is our goal for artists and viewers to find inspiration from the imagery and folklore of pre-Columbian culture and transform the four elements into a contemporary expression of this significant cultural festival. 4 Table of Contents • Origin of Day of the Dead pg. 5 • Description of Elements pg. 6-7 • How to Create an Altar pg. 8-9 • Glossary pg. 10 • Word Search pg. 11 • Creating Papel Picado pg. 12 • Sample 1 pg. 13 • Sample 2 pg. 14 • Creating Paper Flowers pg. 15 • Mask Project pg. 16 • Creating a Jorongo pg. 17 • Dance of the Old Man pg. 18 • Creating a Day of the Dead Scene pg. 19 • Example of Day of the Dead Scene pg. 20 • Recipe for Pan de Muerto (Bread of the Dead) pg. 21 • Recipe for Atole of Galletas Maria (Beverage prepared with cookies) pg. 22 • Recipe for Pumpkin in Tacha (Baked Pumpkin) pg. 22 • Poem, The Contemplation of Death pg. 23 • Citations pg. 24 5 For centuries, it has been understood that the people of Mexico have cherished their ancestors with strong memory and unique ceremonies. Although the deceased loved ones were not physically present, people understood their souls to be close, especially during certain times of the year. Today November 1st and November 2nd are the days devoted to Day of the Dead, however prior to European conquest the celebrations lasted over two months. One activity the ancient people practiced was hanging gifts in a tree. People would then climb the tree to the highest point possible to retrieve a gift. It was believed that the person who went the highest was the closest to the Gods and ancestors of their people (Andrade 43). Sweeping and cleaning of streets, homes, and grave sites were also important practices carried out then as well as today (Carmichael 32). Although there are many similarities and differences that have occurred in the celebration over time, most believe the traditions seen today originated from the culture of pre-Columbian peoples. Their practice of an agrarian lifestyle so long ago may have been the inspiration for their view of death and the cycle of life. The harvesting of crops signified the life and death of the Earth and the elements that reside in it (Andrade 43). The exhibit and education packet will present various ways these elements are depicted through culinary practices, activities, and art used to celebrate the Day of the Dead today. Diego Rivera Aztec Poem We come but to sleep, we come but to dream: It is not true, it is not true, that we come to live upon the earth. Like the grass each spring our hearts grow green, put forth their shoots. Our body is a flower: it blossoms and then it withers (Ayocuan 15) 6 Though the holiday varies from region to region, there are many important elements that every Dia de los Muertos altar must have. Building ofrendas is one of the most significant aspects of the holiday that represent the four natural elements Earth, Fire, Wind, Water. Earth may be seen in view of the harvest foods used to prepare the favorite dishes of the diseased and a candle symbolizing fire may be lit to represent a person’s soul. (Andrade 78). 7 One of the most popular decorations found on an altar or in other areas of a community is papel picado. The vibrant adornment is made of tissue paper and exemplifies the element of wind as it sways in the breeze (Andrade 78). Containers of water may be found at an altar so that the soul may be able to quench their thirst after a long journey (Andrade 79). 8 All Saints Day, November 1st and All Souls Day, November 2nd is a time when the deceased come home to be with their family and take part in the festivities that recognize the duality of life and death. Ofrendas or altars are built to honor the departed family members by placing marigold flowers, pictures, skeletons, candles and memorabilia on an altar to respect the individual and to celebrate their return. Making an Altar An altar-maker can also create a box in remembrance of someone famous such as Elvis Presley or Mr. Rogers. Remember that the Day of the Dead is a Celebration! Every altar is colorful and playful; the altars are a way of showing off the life and personalities of those who have passed. Materials: • A box or container • Flowers • Candles • Candy • Paint • Sugar skulls • Any decorations • A picture of the person or of an event • That person’s favorite things 9 Directions: 1.